The United States: Open for Business, Closed to Stability
On May 4th, 2026, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick opened the SelectUSA 2026 Investment Summit with his remarks: “Donald Trump has made the United States the hottest place in the world to invest, the hottest place to build…the hottest place to grow.” In some respects, Lutnick is not wrong. The United States has been the…
The Latest Government Shutdown Is an Economic Headache
By Nason Li ’29 and Emily Villa ’27 — The 2026 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown began in mid-February after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement, primarily due to a partisan dispute over immigration policy—especially funding and oversight of agencies like ICE. Democrats pushed for reforms tied to enforcement practices, while Republicans opposed…
War in the Strait: How the Hormuz Crisis Is Shaking Global Energy Markets
By Hector Camaton — Modern geopolitical tensions have evolved with complexity to confront war not just with missiles but also with markets. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow stretch of water south of Iran, is hemorrhaging global energy markets as shipping collapses amid the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The Key to Unlocking Affordable Housing in California
By Linara Teruni Gunasekera ’28 –
Californians spend a larger share of their income on rent than the national average, despite living in the richest state economy in the country.
Over the past decade, housing construction has struggled to keep up with economic growth. Since 2011, the Bay Area has added over 500,000 jobs but…